This article describes lansoprazole oral capsule’s dosages and strengths and gives details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for lansoprazole.
If you want to know more about lansoprazole oral capsule, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses, its side effects, and more.
Lansoprazole oral capsule is a generic version of the brand-name drug Prevacid. Lansoprazole also comes in orally disintegrating delayed-release tablets,* but that form isn’t described in this article. To learn more about that form, talk with your doctor.
* “Orally disintegrating” means the drug dissolves on or under your tongue. “Delayed release” means the drug releases into your body later, after it passes through the stomach.
Form and strengths of lansoprazole
Lansoprazole oral capsule comes as follows:
- Form: delayed-release capsule that you swallow
- Strengths: 15 milligrams (mg), 30 mg
“Delayed release” means the drug releases into your body later, after it passes through the stomach.
Dosage of lansoprazole
This article describes the recommended dosages for lansoprazole delayed-release oral capsule. The drugmaker provides these dosages.
If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of lansoprazole oral capsule without your doctor’s recommendation.
Usual recommended dosages of lansoprazole in adults
Lansoprazole is approved to treat the following conditions in adults:
- duodenal ulcers, which are sores in the upper part of the small intestine
- benign stomach ulcers, which means they are not cancerous
- stomach ulcers caused by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- erosive esophagitis, which is damage, sores, and swelling in the tube that moves food from the throat to the stomach
- symptomatic (active) gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Helicobacter pylori infection (or H. pylori), which is caused by bacteria
- other conditions caused by excess stomach acid, including Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
Your doctor will prescribe the recommended dosage based on your condition and its severity. Your dosage and length of treatment also depend on your condition and response to lansoprazole. After the initial dosage plan, your doctor may continue treatment with lansoprazole. This is to prevent your condition from coming back.
The recommended dosages for adults are in the table below in milligrams (mg).
| Purpose | Recommended dosage |
| short-term treatment of duodenal ulcers | 15 mg once per day for 4 weeks |
| maintenance treatment of healed duodenal ulcers | 15 mg once per day for 12 months* |
| short-term treatment of benign stomach ulcers | 30 mg once per day for 8 weeks |
| treatment of stomach ulcers from NSAIDs | 30 mg once per day for 8 weeks |
| prevention of stomach ulcers from NSAIDs | 15 mg once per day for 12 weeks |
| treatment of erosive esophagitis | 30 mg once per day for 8 weeks Note: Lansoprazole may be prescribed for an additional 8 weeks if needed. |
| maintenance treatment of healed erosive esophagitis | 15 mg once per day for up to 12 months |
| treatment of symptomatic (active) GERD | 15 mg once per day for 8 weeks |
| treatment of H. pylori infection | Dual therapy with one antibiotic: • lansoprazole 30 mg three times per day for 14 days, and • amoxicillin 1 gram (1,000 mg) three times per day for 14 days Triple therapy with two antibiotics: • lansoprazole 30 mg twice per day for 10–14 days, and • amoxicillin 1 gram (1,000 mg) twice per day for 10–14 days, and • clarithromycin 500 mg twice per day for 10–14 days |
| treatment of other conditions caused by excess stomach acid, including Zollinger-Ellison syndrome | 60 mg once per day Note: Dosage may be adjusted based on response to treatment. Length of treatment depends on how well the condition is managed and whether it worsens. |
* In studies, patients received lansoprazole as maintenance treatment for healed duodenal ulcers. This treatment lasted 12 months.
Dosages of lansoprazole in children
Lansoprazole is approved to treat the following conditions in children ages 1 year and older:
- symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- erosive esophagitis, which is damage, sores, and swelling in the tube that moves food from the throat to the stomach
Lansoprazole dosage for children ages 1–11 years
The dosages for children ages 1–11 years are based on body weight in kilograms (kg). For reference, 1 kg is about 2.2 pounds (lb). See the table below for recommended dosages, shown in milligrams (mg).
| Condition | Body weight in kg | Approximate body weight in lb | Recommended dose |
| symptomatic GERD or erosive esophagitis | 30 kg or less | 66 lb or less | 15 mg once per day for 12 weeks |
| symptomatic GERD or erosive esophagitis | more than 30 kg | more than 66 lb | 30 mg once per day for 12 weeks |
Lansoprazole dosage for children ages 12–17 years
The recommended dosages for children ages 12–17 years are in the table below. The dosages are in mg.
| Condition | Recommended dose |
| non-erosive (symptomatic or active) GERD | 15 mg once per day for up to 8 weeks |
| erosive esophagitis | 30 mg once per day for up to 8 weeks |
Dosage adjustments for lansoprazole
Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of lansoprazole oral capsule based on several factors. These include:
- the specific condition being treated and how severe it is
- your age
- other health conditions you may have
Your doctor will adjust your dosage if you have severe liver problems. If you do, they’ll adjust it to 15 mg once per day.
Missed dose of lansoprazole
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of lansoprazole oral capsule. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.
For tips on how to plan your doses of lansoprazole oral capsule and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:
- downloading a reminder app on your phone
- setting an alarm
- putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table
Frequently asked questions
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about lansoprazole oral capsule and its dosage.
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Get free cardWhen is the best time of day to take my lansoprazole dose?
Your doctor or pharmacist will explain when to take your dose of lansoprazole. This depends on your condition and additional factors, such as other medications you may be taking. It also depends on how often you take the medication.
Typically, you’ll take the drug 30 minutes before a meal. But your doctor or pharmacist can tell you the time that’s best for your condition.
Is lansoprazole taken long term?
Yes, it’s possible. The duration of your treatment with lansoprazole depends on several factors. These include the condition the drug is treating, how severe it is, and your age. For example, lansoprazole may be taken for up to 4 years for Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. This information is based on studies of the drug.
But for other conditions, you’ll take lansoprazole short term to treat excess stomach acid.
If you have questions about how long you should take lansoprazole oral capsule, talk with your doctor. They can discuss your treatment plan in more detail.
How lansoprazole is taken
You’ll swallow lansoprazole oral capsule whole. Your doctor will tell you how often you should take it based on your condition. Typically, you’ll take the drug 30 minutes before a meal.
If it’s hard for you to swallow capsules, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form.
Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.
Lansoprazole coupon
Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for lansoprazole when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.
Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.
Overdose of lansoprazole
It’s important that you do not take more lansoprazole oral capsule than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.
What to do if you take too much lansoprazole
If you think you’ve taken too much lansoprazole, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes the usual recommended dosages for lansoprazole oral capsule. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.
Do not change your dosage of lansoprazole oral capsule without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take lansoprazole oral capsule exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- If lansoprazole oral capsule doesn’t treat my condition, will my dosage be increased?
- If I have kidney problems, will I need a dosage adjustment of lansoprazole oral capsule?
- If I’m taking other medications for my condition, will a lower dosage of lansoprazole oral capsule be prescribed?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.